System for facilitating the measurement of blood pressure and method of measuring blood pressure utilizing the system

ABSTRACT

A system for facilitating measurement of a person&#39;s blood pressure having: a) a cuff that is configured to: i) be operatively situated in relationship to a person&#39;s arm; and ii) strategically exert different pressure on the person&#39;s arm to controllably restrict blood flow therein; and b) a base assembly that supports the cuff. The base assembly is configured to allow selective placement of the cuff in first and second different positions relative to the person with the person in a measurement taking position. The cuff in the first position is configured to be operatively situated in relationship to the person&#39;s left arm. The cuff in the second position is configured to be operatively situated in relationship to the person&#39;s right arm.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/287,335filed May 27, 2014, the contents of this application is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

This invention relates to blood pressure measuring equipment and, moreparticularly, to a system that utilizes a cuff that is extended around alimb of a user to controllably restrict blood flow in the user's limb asblood pressure measurements are being taken.

Background Art

The focus on improved personal health worldwide has led to thedevelopment of many different types of instruments that can be used,without the assistance of medical personnel, to take a measurement thatrelates to a person's state of health. Among these instruments are thoseused to measure blood pressure.

Most blood pressure measuring systems utilize the same basic model—thatbeing to controllably restrict blood flow through pressure applicationon a user's limb. With a manometer and other components, a user candetect and display his/her blood pressure as the flow impeding pressureis changed.

A growing trend is to provide health related measuring equipment, suchas blood pressure measuring equipment, in non-medical, public settings,such as food stores, pharmacies, etc. Typically, a blood pressuremeasuring system is incorporated into a kiosk. The kiosk has a platformfor supporting a cuff configured to be used in conjunction with one of auser's left or right arms.

These kiosks are designed so that an individual can either sit on asupport, or use a wheelchair, to comfortably align to deploy the cuff.As a result, these kiosks become dedicated left- or right-handed. Thisconstruction has some significant limitations.

If a user has lost his/her arm on the side for which the kiosk isdedicated, it may be impossible for him/her to utilize the bloodpressure cuff. Alternatively, the user must contort him-/herself toimprovise and take a measurement utilizing the cuff. This may be aparticular problem in the event that the individual is seated in awheelchair.

A further problem with the above-described construction is that it mayalso limit the user's ability to take an accurate measurement. Recentmedical research has suggested that blood pressure measurements may varybetween a user's left and right arms. Still further, a most accuratemeasurement is believed to be taken by averaging blood pressuremeasurements for a user's left and right arms.

With existing systems, it is essentially impossible, or at best verydifficult, to attempt to measure blood pressure on left and right armswith a conventional kiosk arrangement that is left- or right-handdedicated. This limitation alone may make the kiosk usage less thandesirable.

In light of the continuing trend to make self-assessment of certainhealth states without the intervention of medical personnel, the needfor better systems to allow users to measure their blood pressure isincreasingly important in what is becoming a highly competitive area.Designers in this area continue to seek such improvements out.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one form, the invention is directed to a system for facilitatingmeasurement of a person's blood pressure having: a) a cuff that isconfigured to: i) be operatively situated in relationship to a person'sarm; and ii) strategically exert different pressure on the person's armto controllably restrict blood flow therein; and b) a base assembly thatsupports the cuff. The base assembly is configured to allow selectiveplacement of the cuff in first and second different positions relativeto the person with the person in a measurement taking position. The cuffin the first position is configured to be operatively situated inrelationship to the person's left arm. The cuff in the second positionis configured to be operatively situated in relationship to the person'sright arm.

In one form, the base assembly is in the form of an elongate arm.

In one form, the system is provided in combination with a support frameassembly and a support surface upon which the person can sit in themeasurement taking position to take a blood pressure reading using thesystem. The base assembly is connected to the frame assembly.

In one form, the elongate arm is connected to the support frame assemblyfor pivoting movement around an axis. The cuff changes between the firstand second positions as an incident of the elongate arm pivoting aroundthe axis.

In one form, the elongate arm is cantilever mounted to the support frameassembly.

In one form, the axis is substantially vertical.

In one form, the elongate arm has an articulated construction includingat least first and second relatively movable parts.

In one form, the first and second parts are movable relative to eachother around a first axis.

In one form, the system is provided in combination with a support frameassembly and a support surface upon which the person can sit in themeasurement taking position to take a blood pressure reading using thesystem. The arm is connected to the support frame assembly for movementrelative thereto around a second axis that is substantially parallel tothe first axis.

In one form, the support surface is defined on one of: a) a seatingcomponent configured to be fixed in relationship to the support frameassembly; and b) a wheelchair.

In one form, the seating component is configured to be moved relative tothe support frame assembly between: a) an active position; and b) astored position. The seating component in the stored position issituated so that a person in a wheelchair can move into the measurementtaking position in which the person, while seated in the wheelchair, canoperatively situate the cuff with respect to his/her arm.

In one form, the system is provided in combination with components tomeasure the person's blood pressure with the cuff operatively situatedand pressure exerted on the person's arm through the cuff.

In one form, the system is provided in combination with: a) componentsto measure the person's blood pressure with the cuff operativelysituated and pressure exerted on the person's arm through the cuff; andb) a monitor on the support frame assembly through which blood pressuremeasurements taken through the components are displayed.

In one form, there are components cooperating between the seatingcomponent and support frame assembly that guide the seating component inmovement between the active and stored positions.

In one form, the first and second axes are substantially vertical.

In one form, the measurement taking position for the person issubstantially the same with the cuff in the first and second positionsand operatively situated on the person's left and right arms.

In one form, there is structure cooperating between the elongate arm andthe base frame assembly to consistently maintain the arm in first andsecond positions in which the cuff is respectively maintained in itsfirst and second positions.

In one form, the invention is directed to a method of taking a person'sblood pressure measurement. The method includes the steps of: accessinga system for facilitating measurement of the person's blood pressure asdescribed above, together with components to measure the person's bloodpressure; operatively situating the cuff on one of the user's arms withthe user's one arm in a first resting position; with the user's one armin the first resting position, causing: a) the cuff to controllablyexert pressure on the user's one arm; and b) the components to measurethe person's blood pressure through the person's one arm; aftermeasuring the person's blood pressure through the person's one arm,repositioning the cuff and operatively situating the repositioned cuffon the other of the user's arms with the user's other arm in a secondresting position; and with the user's other arm in the second restingposition, causing: a) the cuff to controllably exert pressure on theuser's other arm; and b) the components to measure the person's bloodpressure through the person's other arm.

In one form, the measurement taking position for the person issubstantially the same with the cuff in the first and second differentpositions.

In one form, the base assembly is an elongate arm that is pivoted aboutan axis to change the cuff between the first and second differentpositions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a system for facilitatingmeasurement of a person's blood pressure, according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of the system in FIG. 1 andadditional components used to measure blood pressure and displaymeasured blood pressure values;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a kiosk incorporating one form of thesystem in FIG. 1 and the additional components in FIG. 2 and showing auser in a wheelchair and his/her left arm positioned to take a bloodpressure reading;

FIG. 4 is a view of the components in FIG. 3 from a differentperspective;

FIG. 5 is a view as in FIGS. 3 and 4 from another different perspective;

FIG. 6 is a view as in FIGS. 3-5 from a still further differentperspective;

FIG. 7 is a view as in FIGS. 3-6 from yet another different perspective;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged, fragmentary view of a component of an armpositioning assembly, on the system in FIG. 1 and on the kiosk in FIGS.3-7, that is grasped by the hand on an arm of a user on which the cuffis operatively situated;

FIG. 9 is a partially schematic representation of separate articulatingparts that make up a base assembly that supports the cuff and the armrepositioning assembly;

FIG. 10 is a schematic representation of a modified form of system, asshown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary, side elevation view of a modified form of cuffand base assembly through which the cuff can be reoriented relative tothe base assembly;

FIG. 12 is a partially schematic representation of a further modifiedform of cuff and cooperating base assembly that allow another dimensionof movement of the cuff relative to the base assembly;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a modified form of component,corresponding to that in FIG. 8, making up an arm positioning assemblythat can be grasped in a different manner by a user;

FIG. 14 is a view similar to that in FIG. 6 and with the wheelchairremoved and a seating component for a user in two different positions;

FIG. 15 is a flow diagram representation of a method of taking a bloodpressure measurement according to the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a schematic representation of a modified form of system,according to the invention, for facilitating measurement of a person'sblood pressure;

FIG. 17 is a plan view of the inventive system, as shown in FIGS. 1-16,and with an elongate arm, that is part of the base assembly, positionedto take a blood pressure measurement using the left arm of the personsituated in a measurement taking position;

FIG. 18 is a view as in FIG. 17 wherein the elongate arm has beenreconfigured to allow measurement of the person's blood pressure throughthe person's right arm with the person situated in the same measurementtaking position;

FIG. 19 is a schematic representation of structure for releasably andconsistently maintaining the elongate arm and support frame assembly inthe two different relationships, as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18; and

FIG. 20 is a flow diagram representation of a method of taking aperson's blood pressure measurement according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In FIG. 1, a system for facilitating measurement of a person's bloodpressure, according to the present invention, is shown schematically at10. The system 10 consists of a cuff 12 that is configured to: a) beoperatively situated in relationship to a person's arm; and b)strategically exert pressure on the person's arm to controllablyrestrict blood flow therein to allow the person's blood pressure to beconventionally measured. The system further includes an arm positioningassembly 14, configured to be operatively engaged by a hand on theperson's arm, to consistently place the person's arm in relationship tothe cuff 12, with the cuff 12 operatively situated in relationship tothe person's arm as a blood pressure measurement is taken. The armpositioning assembly 14 includes at least one component 16 that isengaged by a person's hand to facilitate the consistent placement of thearm relative to the cuff 12.

The cuff 12 and arm positioning assembly 14 are supported upon a baseassembly 18. The base assembly 18 may be a single component or separatecomponents.

In FIG. 1, as in other Figures described hereinbelow, the schematicshowing of components is intended to encompass the specific componentsdescribed herein in the preferred embodiments, and virtually anunlimited number of variations of these components and theirinteractions, as would be apparent to one skilled in the art with thepresent teachings in hand. The schematic showing is intended toencompass all such variations.

In FIG. 1, the generic showing of the component 16 is intended tobroadly encompass virtually any type of component that the user's handcan abut to or grasp to allow a user to consistently achieve the samerelationship between the arm and the cuff 12, with the cuff 12operatively situated. The component 16 might be an abutting wall towhich the user's fingertip(s), clenched fist, etc. abuts. Alternatively,and more preferably, the component 12 is graspable as in the variouspreferred embodiments described hereinbelow.

It is not necessary to understand the details of the components andinstrumentation utilized to take an actual blood pressure reading tofully understand the present invention. Those basic components can beselected from the wide range of the same that are currently known andavailable, or become available.

As shown schematically in FIG. 2, the cuff 12 has a housing 20 thatextends around the wearer's arm. A pressure applying structure 22resides within the housing 20 and may be in the form of a bladder whichis either manually or automatically filled to apply a peripheralpressure on the user's arm to impede blood flow therein.

Components 24 are shown in FIG. 2 and encompass manometers and othercomponents used to sense the blood pressure with the pressure applyingstructure exerting different pressures and with that pressure relieved.The components 24 convey signals to a monitor 26 that has a display 28upon which blood pressure values can be viewed. The monitor 26 mayinclude processing components or, alternatively, the processing can bedone by one or more of the components 24.

Referring now to FIGS. 3-14 and 16-19, alternative and specific forms ofthe inventive system 10, as shown schematically in FIGS. 1 and 2, willbe described. The system 10 is shown as part of a kiosk 30; however, itis not a requirement that the system 10 be part of a kiosk arrangement.For purposes of illustration, the kiosk 30 will be the exemplaryenvironment for the system 10.

The kiosk 30 consists of a support frame assembly 32 which incorporatesthe aforementioned monitor 26 having the display 28 for electronicallydisplaying the blood pressure readings.

In this embodiment, the base assembly 18 is in the form of an elongate,cantilevered arm 34. The arm 34 supports the cuff 12 at one location andthe arm positioning assembly 14 at a location spaced from the cuff 12between the cuff 12 and support frame assembly 32.

The elongate arm 34 has an articulated construction, including first andsecond relatively movable parts 36, 38, respectively. The parts 36, 38are shown to be connected for relative movement in one manner, with itbeing understood that other mechanisms are contemplated that will allowcontrolled repositioning of the cuff 12 relative to the support frameassembly 32.

In this embodiment, the first and second parts 36, 38 are movablerelative to each other around a first axis 40 that extends substantiallyvertically. The first part 36 of the elongate arm 34 is connected to thesupport frame assembly 32 for movement relative thereto around a secondaxis 42 that is substantially parallel to the first axis 40. Throughthis mechanism, the cuff 12 can be moved selectively towards and awayfrom the support frame assembly 32 and simultaneously shiftedadditionally in a lateral direction while maintaining a desiredorientation of the cuff 12 that facilitates direction of a user's armtherethrough.

The kiosk 30 is configured so that the user U can sit on a supportsurface while a blood pressure measurement is taken. In one form, thesupport surface 44 upon which the person sits in the measurement takingposition is defined upon a wheelchair 46 that can be advanced into aready position as shown in FIGS. 3-7. With the wheelchair 46 in theready position, the user can advance the hand LH on his/her left arm LAin the direction of the arrow 48 in FIG. 6 through an opening 50 boundedby the housing 20. The opening 50 has a central axis 52 which isparallel to the advancing direction of the user's left arm that iseffected to operatively situate the cuff 12 in relationship to theperson's left arm LA. A preferred location for the cuff is in the regionabove the user's elbow, whereby the left forearm LF projects from thecuff 12 towards the arm positioning assembly 14.

In this embodiment, the component 16 on the arm positioning assembly 14has a rounded, convex surface 54 that conforms generally to the person'spalm P, thumb T, and fingers F, with the person's left hand LH in acupped configuration as shown in FIG. 8. The user's hand thus grasps thecomponent 16 much in the same way as he/she would grasp a baseball,preparatory to a pitch. The particular diameter of the component 16 isnot critical, as repetitive grasping of different sizes thereof wouldconsistently place the hand at the same distance from the cuff 12. As aresult, by directing the hand through the cuff opening 50 and graspingthe component 16, the cuff 12 will consistently align at the samelengthwise location on the user's arm.

In this embodiment, the component 16 is shown as a substantiallyspherical element that has a vertical central axis 56 that is adjacentto, or coincident with, the first axis 40.

It should be understood that while a substantially raised sphericalshape for the component 16 is shown, many other different shapes arecontemplated. What is preferred is that, whatever the shape is, a userwould naturally consistently effect grasping thereof, as an incident ofwhich the user's arm in a resting position is repeatedly placed in thesame relationship with the cuff 12 as successive measurements are taken.

The second arm part 38 has an upwardly facing surface 58 configurable indifferent shapes and against which a portion of the user's forearmregion, and potentially the elbow, can be rested. By supporting theweight of the user's arm, the user can be comfortably resting as themeasurement is being taken. The forearm region of the resting arm mayalternatively be spaced above the surface 58, bridging between the cuff12 and component 16.

The cuff 12 is shown fixedly mounted to the second part 38 so as to moveas one piece therewith. In the fixed orientation, the axis 52 for thecuff opening 50 declines between a rear cuff edge 60 and a front cuffedge 62. This angle is chosen to nominally match the normal angle of auser's upper arm directed into the cuff 12 with the user seated in ameasurement taking position at the kiosk 30 and the arm in a restingposition.

In this embodiment, the distance between the cuff 12 and component 16 isfixed. In an alternative form of base assembly, as shown at 18′ in FIG.10, the distance between a cuff 12′ and a component 16′ on an armpositioning assembly 14′ may be varied to accommodate different armlengths of users. Through the base assembly 18′, the distance betweenthe cuff 12′ and component 16′ can be selectively changed and fixedusing well known components and mechanisms.

As shown in FIG. 11, a further modified form of base assembly at 18″ mayincorporate a part 64 that cooperates with a cuff 12″ so as to allow theangular orientation of the cuff opening axis 52″ to be changed. As oneexample, a pin 66 can be used to connect the cuff 12″ and part 64 sothat the cuff 12″ is movable around a generally horizontal axis 68defined by the pin 66, as indicated by the double-headed arrow 70.

A still further modified form of base assembly 18′″ is shown in FIG. 12through which the cuff 12′″ can be turned around a vertical axis 72 tofurther accommodate different body types and positioning.

As a further modification, a graspable component 16⋅⁴, as shown in FIG.13, may be used in place of the graspable component 16. The graspablecomponent 16 ⁴, is in the form of a cylindrical body 74 that can behorizontally situated, vertically situated, or angularly turned to aposition therebetween to allow a user to grasp the body 74 generally asshown.

Another feature of the kiosk 30 is the ability to place a seatingcomponent 76 with a support surface 78 selectively in an activeposition, as shown in solid lines in FIG. 14, and a stored position, asshown in dotted lines in FIG. 14 and in solid lines in FIGS. 3-7. Theseating component 76 has a mounting arm 80 that connects to a plate 82at the bottom of the support frame assembly 32. The plate 82 and support80 have components thereon that cooperate so that the mounting arm 80and associated seating component 76 turn about an axis 84 relative tothe support frame assembly 32 in changing between the active and storedpositions. The precise connection between the mounting arm 80 and plate82 is not shown in any detail, as many different suitable connectingcomponents might be incorporated to allow this interaction, or a similarinteraction that permits controlled repositioning of the seatingcomponent 76.

With the seating component 76 in the active position, the supportsurface 78 thereon supports the user in a measurement taking positionfor convenient access to the cuff 12. With the seating component 76 inthe stored position, a person in a wheel chair can move into theposition shown in FIGS. 3-7, as described above, to allow the user toassume essentially the same measurement taking position.

Alternatively, the arm 34 could be situated at a height such that theuser can stand while taking a measurement.

With the above structure, a method of taking a person's blood pressuremeasurement can be carried out, as shown in flow diagram form in FIG.15.

As shown at block 86, the user accesses any form of the system, asdescribed above.

As shown at block 88, the cuff is operatively situated on one of theuser's arms.

As shown at block 90, the user operatively engages the hand on the armwithin the cuff with the arm positioning assembly to establish a restingposition for the user's arm.

As shown at block 92, with the user's hand in the resting position, theuser causes: a) the cuff to exert pressure on the user's arm; and b) thecomponents to measure the person's blood pressure.

The step of operatively engaging the arm positioning assembly may besimply abutting a part of the hand against the component or, morepreferably, involves grasping that component.

In a preferred form of the method, the user continues to grasp the partof the arm positioning assembly as the cuff is exerting pressure and thecomponents measure blood pressure.

Another aspect of the invention, in the form as described above, isshown generically in FIG. 16 and more specifically in FIGS. 17-19. Thespecific structure shown in these Figures is part of the embodimentsdescribed hereinabove, with it contemplated that the features shown inFIGS. 16-19 could incorporate any and all the components heretoforedescribed.

In a generic sense, the inventive system 10 ^(5′), in FIG. 16 has a cuff12 ^(5′) and base assembly 18 ^(5′) corresponding generally to the cuff12 and base assembly 18, and variations thereof, as described above. Thegeneric showing is intended to encompass the specific structuresdescribed above and below, and other structure that may perform thedescribed function using different components that may interactdifferently.

The cuff 12 ^(5′) is configured to: a) be operatively situated inrelationship to a person's arm; and b) strategically exert pressure onthe person's arm to controllably restrict blood flow therein. The baseassembly 18 ^(5′) supports the cuff 12 ^(5′). The base assembly 18 ^(5′)is configured to allow selective placement of the cuff 12 ^(5′) in firstand second different positions relative to a person with the person in ameasurement taking position. The cuff 12 ^(5′) in the first position isconfigured to be operatively situated in relationship to the person'sleft arm LA. The cuff 12 ^(5′) in the second position therefor isconfigured to be operatively situated in relationship to the person'sright arm RA, in the same manner as described above.

More specifically, with the components hereinabove described, theelongate arm 34 can be reconfigured from the FIG. 17 position into theFIG. 18 position therefor, thereby to change the cuff 12 between itsfirst position in FIG. 17 and its second position in FIG. 18. The cuff12 can be repositioned with the person/user U in substantially the samemeasurement taking position upon a support surface 94, which is intendedto generically represent the support surface that may be defined by thewheelchair 46, the seating component 76, or a subjacent surface uponwhich the person might be standing when a blood pressure measurement istaken.

In effecting repositioning of the cuff 12, the first part 36 is pivotedabout the axis 42 in the direction of the arrow 96 from the FIG. 17position. At the same time, the parts 36, 38 pivot relative to eachother around the first axis 40 to assume the configuration in FIG. 18.Each of the person's left and right arms LA, RA cooperates with the cuff12 in substantially the same manner.

The elongate arm 34 cooperates with the other structures, including thesupport frame assembly 32, as described above. Alternatively, as shownin FIG. 18, the elongate arm 34 might cooperate with another type ofstructure, shown generically at 98 that permits reconfiguration of theelongate arm 34 relative to the person residing in a measurement takingposition. Preferably, the measurement taking position for the user doesnot have to substantially change to allow measurements to be takenseparately on left and right arms.

As shown in FIG. 19, structure 100, 102 may be provided separately onthe elongate arm 34 and support frame assembly 32 that cooperates toconsistently, but releasably, maintain the arm 34 in first and secondpositions, as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, in which the cuff 12 isrespectively maintained in its first and second positions.

With the system as described above, and as seen most clearly withreference to FIGS. 16-19, a method of taking a person's blood pressuremeasurement can be carried out as shown in flow diagram form in FIG. 20.

As shown at block 104, a system is accessed for facilitating measurementof the person's blood pressure, as described above, including componentsto measure the person's blood pressure.

As shown at block 106, the cuff is operatively situated on one of theuser's arms with the user's one arm in a first resting position.

As shown at block 108, with the user's one arm in the first restingposition, the cuff is caused to exert pressure on the user's one arm andthe components are caused to measure the person's blood pressure throughthe person's one arm.

As shown at block 110, after measuring the person's blood pressurethrough the person's one arm, the cuff is repositioned and operativelysituated on the other of the user's arms with the user's other arm in asecond resting position.

As shown at block 112, with the user's other arm in the second restingposition, the cuff is caused to exert pressure on the user's other armand the components are caused to measure the person's blood pressurethrough the person's other arm.

The foregoing disclosure of specific embodiments is intended to beillustrative of the broad concepts comprehended by the invention.

1. A method of taking a person's blood pressure measurement, the methodcomprising the steps of: accessing a system for facilitating measurementof the person's blood pressure as in claim 1 together with components tomeasure the person's blood pressure; operatively situating the cuff onone of the user's arms with the user's one arm in a first restingposition; with the user's one arm in the first resting position,causing: a) the cuff to controllably exert pressure on the user's onearm; and b) the components to measure the person's blood pressurethrough the person's one arm; after measuring the person's bloodpressure through the person's one arm, repositioning the cuff andoperatively situating the repositioned cuff on the other of the user'sarms with the user's other arm in a second resting position; and withthe user's other arm in the second resting position, causing: a) thecuff to controllably exert pressure on the user's other arm; and b) thecomponents to measure the person's blood pressure through the person'sother arm.
 2. The method of taking a person's blood pressure measurementaccording to claim 1 wherein the measurement taking position for theperson is substantially the same with the cuff in the first and seconddifferent positions.
 3. The method of taking a person's blood pressuremeasurement according to claim 1 wherein the base assembly is anelongate arm that is pivoted about an axis to change the cuff betweenthe first and second different positions.